Victoza wins partial NICE recommendation
pharmafile | June 15, 2010 | News story | Sales and Marketing | NICE, Victoza, diabetes
Novo Nordisk has been given a limited approval for its new type II diabetes treatment in draft guidance issued by the cost-effectiveness body.
NICE has given Victoza 1.2mg a preliminary recommendation as part of a triple therapy regimen with oral therapies metformin/sulphonylurea, but did not pass the higher 1.8mg dose, saying it showed only “marginal benefit”.
It’s a boost for the Danish diabetes specialist and comes after NICE’s initial preliminary decision was to reject both doses of Victoza in February.
NICE’s new draft guidance now stipulates that patients must have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 and specific psychological or medical problems associated with high body weight.
Victoza (liraglutide) is also recommended for patients with a BMI of less than 35 where insulin therapy would have significant occupational implications, or weight-loss would benefit other significant obesity-related co-morbidities.
Dr Carole Longson, health technology evaluation centre director at NICE, said: “The incidence of type II diabetes is on the increase in England and Wales – and sadly so too are the complications of the disease. We are pleased, therefore, to recommend liraglutide 1.2 mg daily as a clinically and cost effective treatment option as part of both dual and triple therapy regimens for some patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus under restrictions.”
Longson added: “However, we felt unable to recommend use of the higher dose as the available evidence does not suggest any significant additional benefit.”
Launched in Europe last year, Victoza is a once-daily injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist receptor analogue designed to lower glucose levels by stimulating the release of insulin when glucose levels become too high, and also inhibits appetite.
The FDA approved the treatment in February but concerns were raised over high incidences of pancreatitis in clinical trials. The drug has also been licensed in Japan, and a phase I trial that could see the injectable Victoza turned into a pill began in January.
The appraisal consultation document (ACD) is available for comment from 14 June to 5 July and can be found here.
Ben Adams
Related Content
Combination treatments: Takeda’s Implementation Framework and the broader landscape
Pharmafile talks to Emma Roffe, Oncology Country Head (UK & Ireland) about the combination treatment …
MetP Pharma releases positive data on intranasal semaglutide administration
MetP Pharma has released new data highlighting the advantages of its MetP technology in delivering …
NICE recommends Pfizer’s new once-weekly treatment for haemophilia B on NHS
Walton Oaks, 21st May 2025 – Pfizer Ltd announced today that the National Institute for Health and Care …
